Alta Lake State Park

Quick Facts

Things To Do

Overview

Alta Lake State Park is a 181-acre camping park where the mountainous pine forests meet the desert. Alta Lake is about two miles long and a half mile wide. Alta Lake is surrounded by stone cliffs covered in ice. These cliffs extend 1000 feet above the lake.Alta Lake offers good trout fishing and "conditional" waterskiing and windsurfing during summer months. The lake was named "Alta" in 1900 by Mr. Heinz, a jeweler from Wilbur, who was mining in the area. Finding the lake without a name, he called it after his daughter, Alta Heinz. Lake Chelan, with its many activities, is 30 minutes away.
Alta Lake State Park has 2 miles of trails waiting for visitors to transgress them. In addition to enjoying water sport activities guests may enjoy golf at the nearby Alta Lake Golf Course. The park is an enjoyable summer camping location. Also many houses are along the golf course and lake and are either primary or vacation homes.

Activities

Boating

Freshwater boating is available. There are two watercraft launches with 60 feet of dock space. A daily permit is available for watercraft launching at the park. Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff are available.

Camping

The park has 91 tent spaces, 32 utility spaces, four restrooms (one ADA) and 12 showers. Maximum site length is 38 feet (limited availability). Individual campsites are reservable April 1 through Oct. 31 by visiting online. The park also has one ADA hookup campsite and one ADA standard campsite reservable by qualified individuals.

Fishing

Freshwater fishing is available.

Golfing

There is an 18-hole golf course in the Alta Lake area.

Hiking

Two miles of hiking trails are available.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is allowed at the park.

Picnicking

Water Sports

Sailboarding is also popular with park visitors. Waterskiing can be dangerous on this small lake. There are waterskiing opportunities four miles away on the Columbia River. Other recreational activities include: personal watercraft, swimming, and diving. Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff are available.

Seasonality/Weather

Directions

Driving

Located about two miles southwest of Pateros, Washington and over 20 miles from Chelan, Washington. The two mile road leading to the park, Alta lake Road, can be accessed from State Route 153, which runs along the Methow River.